Jan 26th, 2022: Love of Money Never Has Enough

 



Some people might think that professional athletes are spoiled, self-serving, and lack personal grace. Some of them might be guilty of these charges. However, I have met many of them who are loving, kind, giving, and trying to uphold their responsibility to the community. One of the young men I have learned to respect is Sadio Mane. He plays for Liverpool Club of the Premier League.


Sadio Mane, a Senegalese soccer star, earns approximately $10.2 million annually, taught us an incredible lesson about life when some people commented about his cracked iPhone. Here was his response:


"Why would I want ten Ferraris, 20 diamond watches, and two jet planes? I starved, I worked in the fields, played barefoot, and I didn't go to school. Now I can help people. I prefer to build schools and give poor people food or clothing. I have built schools and a stadium; provide clothes, shoes, and food for people in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros per month to all people from a very poor Senegalese region in order to contribute to their family economy. I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips, and even planes. I prefer that my people receive some of what life has given me."


Sadio remains close to his root and has not forgotten his personal history. Fame and money do not make him blind. He is aware of his responsibilities towards his community. Materialistic things don't seem to mean much to him.


He is not pompous and has disregarded others. He stays close to what is meaningful. He is generous while sharing his blessings with others. He is willing to state his priorities without reservation.


Money has not enslaved him. He is free from what he perceives as unnecessary things in life. His influence is now far wider in life than football (soccer).


He might carry a cracked phone, but his heart is whole. For that alone, he gains my respect.


Ecclesiastes 5:10 

"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless."


1 Timothy 6:17-19 

"Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed."

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